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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Big G cereals have brought back their "Retro" themed packaging, 80´s style. Big G cereals will be channeling their Retro roots and to help celebrate, they have partnered with Atari®, bringing classic 80´s games like Asteroids, Missile Command and Centipede to your breakfast table, available exclusively at Target.

I recently received two boxes of the participating cereals in Retro packaging: Cocoa Puffs® and Cinnamon Toast Crunch®. The moment I saw the cereal boxes, I was transported back to my childhood in the 1980s. My husband loved the Retro packaging, as well. For our breakfast time, he has enjoyed the Cocoa Puffs®. He loved the chocolatey flavor as a boy and as an adult, he loves the fact that it has 12g of whole grain per serving. I have enjoyed the Cinnamon Toast Crunch®. As a little girl and as an adult, I am crazy about the flavor listed on the cereal box: "Tastes Like Homemade Cinnamon Toast". This flavor instantly transported me down memory lane to the breakfast table of my youth.

You can collect all 5 different packages that include "totally radical" Atari Activities on the back of each box; available exclusively at Target through mid-March.

One of my readers is going to win a prize pack that includes two boxes of participating Big G cereals.

The winner will receive a prize pack with a $10 Target gift card, 2 boxes of participating Big G cereals and a free download for "Atari 80 Classic Games in 1".

To enter, leave a comment below. Winner must contact me within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Bonus Entry: Leave a separate comment.

* Become a fan of "The Southern Fried Bride" Facebook page here then leave a comment letting me know you are a new fan OR if you are already a fan, leave a comment letting me know.

Entries will close tonight at 11:29 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by random number generator and announced on the blog before the clock strikes midnight and ends another Leap Day. Good luck!

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills, Atari and Target through MyBlogSpark.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day! This holiday often brings to mind romantic love, hearts and material gifts. One of my favorite parts about today is celebrating love for family, friends and loved ones in your life. From the time I was a very young child, I was blessed with a family that taught me the best valentine you can give someone isn't on paper or a material gift, it is the love you give them from your heart. It doesn't cost anything to give someone a smile or a hug. You don't have to buy them an expensive valentine in a shop or be a mastercrafter to design an elaborate creation. There is power in a pen to paper to expressing your gratitude and love.

Recently one of my readers contacted me asking if she could share her story with me. Heather Von St. James' story touched me to the core. Her love, determination and dedication as a mother to her young daughter reminded me of my late mother's same traits: love, dedication and determination to me. I asked Heather to share her story with my blog readers this Valentine's Day.

Here is Heather's story:

I have always been considered an optimist. I see the positive in everything and try to look at the bright side of things. That characteristic came in handy when my life changed at the age of 36. Three and a half months after giving birth to my first an only child, I received a deadly cancer diagnosis.

On November 21, 2005, I was told I had malignant pleural mesothelioma. I was in the midst of what should have been the happiest time of my life when the cancer was discovered. Like many cancer patients, I was totally shocked by the news. Nothing can prepare you for hearing that diagnosis.

I faced a choice when I got the bad news. I could either give up, ask "why me?" and blame God for my troubles; or I could face my future head on. I choose the latter, adopted an optimistic outlook and fought as hard as I could to be a mother to my baby daughter.

Most cancer patients will agree that the disease has a paradoxical nature. It can be the worst thing that could possibly occur, but it can also be a good thing in some ways. My cancer diagnosis changed my whole life. I decided not to be a victim and to put on my rose colored glasses instead. My optimism wiped out the fear, inspired me to help others and give them hope too.

I began seeing a well-known mesothelioma doctor. I left our visits hopeful that I could battle this disease and win. When I found out my tumor would be removed on Groundhog's Day in 2006, I named it Punxsutawney Phil. Now, instead of celebrating Groundhog's Day, we look forward to the day that my lung was removed. We call that day in February Lungleavin Day. On that special holiday, we celebrate the end of fear and the beginning of a new life that was born out of a dire situation. We honor hope and rejoice in life.

My cancer diagnosis introduced me to many extraordinary people that impressed me with their strength, passion and resilience. We call them warriors because they fight to spread knowledge about this disease that is unknown to so many. I never would have met these friends without my diagnosis. Now, my life is more purposeful and I intend to keep on giving hope to those battling this disease, specifically through the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog.

Friday, February 10, 2012

I recently shared a review with you about our personalized address stamp, our first couple stamp as newlyweds, from Invitations by Dawn. From the moment our stamp arrived, I was taken with its elegance and unique design. Our stamp has already graced our wedding gift thank you notes, countless cards and letters to loved ones and prize mailings to giveaway winners on my Facebook page for The Southern Fried Bride. I have received so many compliments on our stamp. The sweetheart design is also a festive touch this time of year.

I have been so impressed with the ink's staying power and even coverage instead of hit-or-miss coverage that can be uneven or too light to be visible. I love how the stamp gives a precise imprint on the paper rather than stamps I have used that I call "moody" because they gave a good imprint sometimes but other times too much filler would imprint with the stamp on the paper and take away from the presentation on the paper. I love the crisp imprint of the design that this stamp model offers.

I love the fact that they offer so many designs to fit so many personalities and interests. Here are some of my favorites.

I love the elegance of the Fleur de Lys design.

Another favorite is the Modern Dots design:

Invitations by Dawn has graciously offered to sponsor a Valentine's Day Giveaway for my readers, and one of you will win a personalized self-inking address stamp of your choice (ARV $39.95)!

VALENTINE'S DAY GIVEAWAY

Valentine's Day Giveaway Prize: The winner will receive a personalized self-inking address stamp of their choice (ARV $39.95) from Invitations by Dawn.

Mandatory Entry: Visit the "Invitations by Dawn" website and look through their assortment of self-inking address stamps here and leave me a comment below letting me know your favorite stamp design. Include your e-mail address in the comment where you can be contacted if you are chosen the winner.

Extra Entries: Post a separate comment if you complete any of the following extra entries.

* Become a fan of The Southern Fried Bride on Facebook by "liking" the page here then post a comment letting me know. If you are already a fan, let me know in your comment.

* Tweet this giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to post the link to your tweet with your comment.

Entries will close on Monday, February 13 at 11:59 p.m. EST. A winner will be chosen by random number generator on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14 and announced at 10:00 am EST. Good luck!

FTC Disclaimer: Invitations By Dawn provided me with a self-inking address stamp for this giveaway. The opinions expressed in this blog post are my own. I was in no way financially compensated by Invitations By Dawn for this review.